Partners for life: building microbial consortia for the future

Rapp, Kent M.; Jenkins, Jackson P.; Betenbaugh, Michael J.

doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2020.10.001

Title: Partners for life: building microbial consortia for the future

Journal Article · Sat Nov 14 00:00:00 EST 2020 · Current Opinion in Biotechnology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2020.10.001· OSTI ID:1853174

Rapp, Kent M. ^[1]; Jenkins, Jackson P. ^[1]; Betenbaugh, Michael J. ^[1]

Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States)

We report new technologies have allowed researchers to better design, build, and analyze complex consortia. These developments are fueling a wider implementation of consortium-based bioprocessing by leveraging synthetic biology, delivering on the field’s multitudinous promises of higher efficiencies, superior resiliency, augmented capabilities, and modular bioprocessing. Here we chronicle current progress by presenting a range of screening, computational, and biomolecular tools enabling robust population control, efficient division of labor, and programmatic spatial organization; furthermore, we detail corresponding advancements in areas including machine learning, biocontainment, and standardization. Additionally, we show applications in myriad sectors, including medicine, energy and waste sustainability, chemical production, agriculture, and biosensors. Concluding remarks outline areas of growth that will promote the utilization of complex community structures across the biotechnology spectrum.

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Research Organization:: Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0019388; 1804733

OSTI ID:: 1853174

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1778472

Journal Information:: Current Opinion in Biotechnology, Vol. 66, Issue C; ISSN 0958-1669

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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